News
Heaves in Horses
I have owned Horses for more than 30 years and I was so lucky to never have a horse get "Heaves." "Heaves" in horses refers to Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO), a chronic, obstructive lung disease similar to asthma in humans, characterized by labored breathing, coughing, and potentially a "heave line" along the abdomen.
But two years ago my Big Boy started coughing. I have owned him for more than 8 years and he had never had issues before. I called the Vet and he got a couple of shots and said he would never be healed of it, we would just have to treat it.
After research, I bought a nebulizer. I would do treatments every other day. He did not like them. They helped a bit but not enough. We would have to give him more shots.
I did more research and found several retail products. I tried 3 different ones. One worked better than the others. Each took weeks, this took months. The one that worked the main ingredient was Mullien Leaf. I started reading up on it. The product cost me $80 a month.
I started thinking. if this herb works what if there are more that might help. So I researched every herb for respiratory issues. Then I cross referenced which ones were safe for horses.
There were 8 herbs and vitamins that helped. So I bought 1/4 lb of each in powder form online.
When it came in, I mixed all the powders together and made my own concoction. I then took two tablespoons of the powder put it in a cup and added 1 tablespoon of water, maybe a dash more and made a paste.
I would give Big Boy the herbs and 11 Claritin in the morning and the herbs only in the afternoon.
I would simply put it in his feed and stir it around. HE LOVES IT. One of the herbs is peppermint. He can't wait to eat his food.
The powder concoction lasted one month.
After a month, I didn't see a huge change but decided to try another month. After the second month, the heaves were 100% gone, line gone, no coughing.
I was so surprised and happy but it was going into winter so I thought maybe that was why.
It is now Spring and he is still 100% HEAVES FREE.
It cost me $60 a month but lots less than Vet bills and other products.
If you would like the recipe, I will share with anyone who wants it.
My Big Boy seems so happy and even neighbors have noticed how much better he looks. I don't know if it will work with your horse, but if I can help just one other horse, this story is well worth it.
Lori Walker Sartain
Things to keep in Horse Trailer
When you are away from home, the first thing you always need, it at home. I have started putting so much in my trailer that I could live somewhere for a few days from what I have inside. I don't have a trailer with Living Quarters so I make other things work. I carry all the basics like saddle etc...but here are a few things I have inside that doesn't take a lot of room.
2nd set of reins
Extra Halters
Extra Lead Ropes
Big Water Bucket (I fill with water)
Brushes
Picks
Fly Spray for horse and me
Spurr's Big Fix. (A MUST)
gauze and leg wraps
Duct Tape
Sissors
4 step in fence posts
Nylon strap that fits in fence posts
Some feed and treats
fold up chairs
2 sleeping bags
ice chest
bucket (for bathroom if needed)
roll of toilet paper
If you have more I can add to the list. Let me know and I will!
Lori Walker Sartain
One of my FAVORITE Horse Products
My horse Shiloh, if he can get into something, he will. I call him Houdini. He had a bad habit of pawing the fence. At that time I lived with barbed wire fence due to cows. He ripped the entire back of his foot off. It was awful and scary. The vet came out and gave him meds and I had to soak his foot every day, put antibiotic ointment on it then wrap it. This was not fun and it was about 6 weeks before it was better, maybe even longer. As soon as it healed I was so happy. I could ride again.
Then, he did it AGAIN!!! This time nicked his tendon. It was worse. A centimeter more and his leg would have been in big trouble. I had just been introduced to a product called Spurr's Big Fix. I decided to try it instead of the ointment. With the wound being worse and second time same foot, it was a miracle as it healed in just 2-3 weeks. It is the best product on the market it. Since then, as soon as any of my horses get a cut, I spray it on. Usually only have to do it once. My husband uses it on his scrapes and cuts. I also use it on my dogs. It is a must have and I would have one in the barn and one in the trailer.
https://spurrsbigfix.com/products/32-oz-wound-skin-hoof-antiseptic
Lori Walker Sartain
Equine Events You Can do AT Home!
Come Bring in Spring with us!
A great prep for show season!
We are an at home, self paced equestrian challenge- Open to ALL ages, breeds, disciplines, & ability levels. Earn unique ribbons while working on your own personal goals to complete the challenge. (New to at home challenges?-visit the rules page on our website for complete details)
Lesson riders!-Don't have your own horse?- see our website for our lesson rider rule!
We have 3 challenges starting April 1st!
April Showers Mini Challenge
- Record in writing 10 Activities (Riding, Driving or Ground Work) between April 1st and April 30th
- Submit log and your ribbon mails to you
Bring in Spring Seasonal Challenge
- Record in writing 25 Activities (riding, driving or ground work) from April 1st - June 15th
- Submit log and your ribbon mails to you
Spring Fling Trail Challenge
- Record in writing 20 Trail Activities (ridden, driven or hand walked) from April 1st - May 31st
- Submit log and your ribbon mails to you